5 takeaways from St. Louis Cardinals series win over Reds

Cardinals have a thrilling win on Friday

Jack Flaherty had an excellent outing Friday, going five innings, giving up six hits, two walks, and four earned runs. He did strike out five batters. Zack Thompson pitched the sixth inning, walking one and striking out one. Jojo Romero pitched two-thirds of an inning, giving up two hits, including a home run to Kyle Farmer.

Chris Stratton earned his ninth win with one-third of an inning of relief. Giovanny Gallegos earned his 11th hold of the year, pitching the eighth inning and striking out one.

After pitching an immaculate ninth inning, Ryan Helsley earned his 18th save. All nine pitches thrown were strikes. It was amazing.

Brendan Donovan singled on a grounder to second in the third inning, allowing Tyler O’Neill to score thanks to a throwing error from Jonathan India. Nolan Arenado singled on a liner to right field, scoring Paul Goldschmidt.

Albert Pujols inched closer to history as he hit his 19th homer, or 698th of his career, on a fly to left field off Raynel Espinal. Nolan Arenado scored on the big fly.

In the seventh inning, Goldschmidt doubles to left field, scoring Donovan. Arenado then doubled on a fly to left field, scoring Goldschmidt.

https://twitter.com/Cardinals/status/1570955281470992384?s=20&t=bBNX6G95giAVXwCjjVX96A

Arenado also had an epic defensive gem in the fifth inning. Donovan Solano reached base on a fielder’s choice as Arenado threw from an awkward position on his knee to nail Kyle Farmer at the plate.